Mysuru: Fathima, 30, who was rescued along with her 11-month-old daughter from a park here by Deccan Chronicle with the support of police, was all smiles on Sunday at Shakthidhama rehabilitation centre.
When this correspondent visited her, Fathima, who is seven months pregnant, looked clean with fresh clothes. She was in tears when she recounted about her husband and their two kids, whom he had sold. “He used me only to produce children and sell them,” she told DC.
Fathima said her husband not only wanted to sell their third child but also her.
“My father Anwar had married Madevamma (my mother) and I was named Fathima. My father died seven months ago. My husband Manjunath has all bad habits. He made me work and took away whatever I earned to drink and smoke. He sold our four-year-old son Hemesh (name changed) to a sex worker from Mysuru, who had plans to sell him to someone in Bengaluru. Manjunath broke the arm of my seven-year-old daughter some months ago. Somehow, I managed to get Hemesh back. Now, the two children are safe at an institution in Mysuru.”
She said, “Manjunath used to harass me and at times threaten to sell me. He wanted to sell our third child, 11-month-old baby girl, for '15,000. So, I left home and took shelter in the park. Manjunath should be sent to jail.”
Meanwhile, as per the direction of Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep, officials of the women and child development department met superintendent of Shakthidhama Bhagya on Sunday and asked her to take proper care of Fathima and her children. Police Inspector M. Jayarathna met Fathima and recorded her statement against her husband.
